H.C.R. No. 82
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, The launching of the U.S.S. Gonzalez provides a
1-2 fitting occasion to honor and pay tribute to a true American hero,
1-3 Sergeant Alfredo Gonzalez, U.S.M.C., for whom this magnificent ship
1-4 has been named; and
1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Edinburg, Texas, Sergeant Gonzalez was
1-6 graduated from Edinburg High School and, blessed with an abiding
1-7 love for his country, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
1-8 at San Antonio immediately after graduation and was discharged one
1-9 month later to enlist in the regular Marine Corps on July 6, 1965;
1-10 and
1-11 WHEREAS, Completing recruit training and individual combat
1-12 training, he became a rifleman with Headquarters and Service
1-13 Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and
1-14 served in that capacity until 1966; he then saw a one-year tour of
1-15 duty as a rifleman and squad leader in the Republic of Vietnam,
1-16 during which time he earned promotions to the rank of private first
1-17 class, lance corporal, and corporal for his outstanding devotion to
1-18 duty; and
1-19 WHEREAS, Following his return to the United States in 1967,
1-20 he saw duty as a rifleman with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd
1-21 Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and while
1-22 stationed there, volunteered for a second tour of duty in Vietnam;
1-23 and
1-24 WHEREAS, On July 1, 1967, this brave soldier was promoted to
2-1 the rank of sergeant and within the month was sent to Vietnam,
2-2 where he distinguished himself through his exceptional service as a
2-3 squad leader and platoon sergeant with the 3rd Platoon Company "A,"
2-4 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division; and
2-5 WHEREAS, On February 4, 1968, Sergeant Gonzalez was mortally
2-6 wounded while participating in the initial phase of Operation HUE
2-7 CITY in the vicinity of Thua Thien, Vietnam; Sergeant Gonzalez
2-8 successfully knocked out a rocket position and saved the lives of
2-9 dozens of Americans before being hit by hostile rocket fire, and he
2-10 was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1969
2-11 for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
2-12 above and beyond the call of duty; and
2-13 WHEREAS, Of the thousands of men who fought and died in the
2-14 Tet Offensive, Sergeant Gonzalez was the only man to receive the
2-15 Medal of Honor for his courageous actions in the Battle of Hue City
2-16 and, with the launching of the U.S.S. Gonzalez, he becomes the
2-17 first Texan of Hispanic descent to have a naval missile destroyer
2-18 named in his honor; and
2-19 WHEREAS, Though he was exempt from war front duty as the sole
2-20 surviving son of his family, Sergeant Gonzalez chose instead to
2-21 serve his country and, with tremendous heroism, courage, and
2-22 leadership, he reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine
2-23 Corps, in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States
2-24 Naval Service; and
2-25 WHEREAS, Foremost in the thoughts of all who witness the
2-26 launching of the U.S.S. Gonzalez will be this remarkable young man
2-27 from Edinburg, who gallantly gave his own life to ensure that this
3-1 nation will continue to stand as a beacon of hope to people the
3-2 world over; now, therefore, be it
3-3 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
3-4 hereby commemorate the launching of the U.S.S. Gonzalez and pay
3-5 tribute to the life of Sergeant Alfredo Gonzalez, U.S.M.C., a
3-6 native son and true American hero; and, be it further
3-7 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-8 prepared for his mother, Mrs. Dolia Gonzalez, and that when the
3-9 Texas House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do
3-10 so in memory of Sergeant Alfredo Gonzalez, U.S.M.C.